Valve lifting tool



Nov. 28, 1961 c. H. RUFER ETAL 3,010,192l

VALVE LIFTING Toor.

Filed March 14, 1958 Flc-..2

loie-I// A /12 "I IV Y HW/ll Sgegeez e7 e@ INVENTORS CALvlN H. Rupel Bgm HAH-D .M Dammen ATTQQMEY-S 3,010,192 VALVE LlFTlNG TOOL Calvin H. Rufer, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., and Richard J. McDonnell, 2512 S. Center Ave., Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; -said Rufer assgnor to said McDonnell Filed Mar. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 721,414

1 Claim. (Cl. 29-217) This invention relates to a manually operable tool and, more specifically, the instant invention pertains to a tool especially designed for lifting the valve of an internal combustion engine to effect a facilitation of maintenance, repair, and replacement operations of valves and component elements thereof.

The tool constructed and assembled in accordance with the present invention is designed to effect the repair and maintenance of valves and the associated elements therewith as used in power lawn mowers or of other internal combustion engines having similar horsepower ratings.

It is well known to mechanics and to those skilled in this part that extreme difliculty has been experienced in performing operations of the character generally described above in view of the fact that to perform such operations it is necessary to elevate the valve together with the conventional spring retainer against the force exercised by the spring which abuts the retainer in order to insert or remove the valve keeper. Consequently, one of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a tool which will eliminate the difficulties hereinbefore attendant upon effecting the insertion or removal of the valve keeper.

Another object of this invention is to providee a manually operable tool of the type generally described above to effect the removal or replacement of an internal combustion engine valve in a relatively short time and with the maximum of ease.

A further object of this invention is to provide a manually operable tool to effect the removal of internal combustion engine valves of various makes of engines and/ or the insertion or removal of thevalve'keepers therefor.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a manually operable tool for effecting operations on the valves of internal combustion engines without the use of any other tools and without the employment of a highly skilled mechanic.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a manually operable tool to accomplish the above described objects without damage to any component element of the valve assembly and -without requiring modification or redesign of the valve assembly.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of a tool of the type described supra, the tool being non-complex in construction and assembly, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a valve lifting tool constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the tool illustrated in FIGURE 1 illustrating the same in effecting the preliminary stage of lifting the valve of an internalcombustion engine, the valve being shown in place in an internal combustion engine of which only a portion is illustrated, the dotted lines illustrating the tool in a raised position during a'second stage of operations of the valve and the component elements thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged detail cross sectional view of an internal combustion engine and the valve lifting tool constructed in accordance with this invention, FIGURE 3 illustrating the application of the tool 3,016,192 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 Pce to the valve retainer during a preliminary operation of the tool; and

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view, partly in cross section taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 designates, in general, a valve lifting tool constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. The tool 10 is formed of steel and comprises two substantially C-shaped main body elements 12 and 14, respectively. The element 12 includes a substantially rectangular flat bight section 16 from the opposed ends of which laterally project, at substantially right angles with respect thereto, upper and lower arms 18, 20. The outer end of the arm 18 terminates in an offset arcuate bracket 22 and the lower arm 20 is provided with a terminal end 24 offset in the same direction as the bracket 22.

The element 14 is similarly formed and includes a substantially rectangular fiat bight section 26 from the opposed ends of which laterally project, at substantially right angles with respect thereto, upper and lower arms 28, 30. The outer end of the arm 28 terminates in an offset arcuate bracket 32 and the lower arm 30 is provided with a terminal end 33 offset in the same direction as the bracket 32.

The two C-shaped elements 12, 14 are disposed in confronting relation relative to each other and their respective bights 16, 26, upper arms 18, 28, and their lower arms 20, 30 are rigidly connected in spaced relation relative to each other by rivets 34 on which are mounted spacer collars 36.

When the two main body elements 12, 14 are connected, as described above, the two arcuate brackets 22, 32 engage about the drum section 38 of an internally threaded cylindrical guide 40 having outwardly extending radial flanges 42, 44 which bear against the upper and lower sides of the brackets 22, 32 to prevent movement of the drum 38 relative thereto. The free ends of the brackets 22, 32 may be integrally connected as by welding, indicated at 45.

An elongated externally threaded spindle or shaft 46 is threaded in the drum 38 and a knurled cylindrical manually operable handle 48 is rigidly connected to the upper end thereof to effect its rotation in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

The other or lower end of the spindle 46 is reduced in diameter to form a neck 50 which is freely received within a centrally apertured substantially cylindrical disc 52 having a depending cylindrical valve-engaging ange 54 at the circumferential marginal edge thereof. The lower end of the neck 50 is peened over to connect the disc S2 to the spindle 46. I

To the offset terminal ends 24, 33 of the lower arms 20, 30 is secured a valve retainer lifter member denoted, generally, by reference numeral 56. The member 56 is channel-shaped in transverse configuration and includes an elongated substantially flat bight portion 58 having a substantially rectangular slot 60 extending inwardly from. an end -thereof and which is in open communication with a substantially circular aperture 62. The aperture 62 is in open communication with a substantially rectangular slot `64 axially aligned with the slot 6G but of somewhat lesser width.

The slo-t 60, aperture 62 and slot 64 serve to` define a pair of bifurcated arms 66, `68 disposed in spaced confronting relation and the outer free ends thereof are chamfered or beveled at 70, 72, respectively. A pair of anges 74, 76 are integrally formed with the bight portion S8 adjacent a pair of opposed longitudinally extending marginal edges thereof and converge inwardly towards the other end of the bight 58. The anges 74,

76 are releasably secured to the offset terminal ends 24, 33, respectively, by means of screws 78.

Reference numeral 80 denotes an elongated substantially rectangular pry lever supported for reciprocation between the lower arms 20, 30, intermediate its ends, on a pin 82 supported on and extending between the lower ends of the bight members 16, 26. As is seen in FIG- URE `3, the pry lever 80 is downwardly inclined towards the bifurcated end of the bight 58, and one end of the pry lever 80 normally rests thereon in alignment with the slots 60, 64. The aforementioned one end of the pry lever 80 terminates adjacent the slot 64 and is provided with an upwardly and inwardly inclined cam surface 84. The other end of the pry lever 80 is extended beyond the bights 16, 26 in the opposite direction and terminates in a knurled knob 86.

A helicoidal spring 87 under compression surrounds the pry lever 80 with an end thereof engaging the knob 86 and its other end abutting against the lower ends of the bights 16, 26 to constantly bias the pry lever 80 for movement in a direction away from the bifurcated end of the bight 58. This movement is limited by a stop pin 83 which extends transversely through the pry lever 80 and normally engages the lowermost one of the spacer collars 36 positioned proximate the pin 82 in vertically spaced relation relative thereto.

As is clearly seen in FIGURE 2, the upper side of the pry lever 80 is adapted to engage and to reciprocate below a pin 90 extending transversely between the arms 20, 30 and supported thereon. The relative arrangement between the bight 58, lever 80, pin S2 and pin 90 is such that the angle between the underside 80A of the lever 80 and the bight 58 is substantially three degrees.

Numeral 92 denotes ra fragmentary representation of a conventional light horsepower internal combustion engine of the type, for example, internal combustion engines used to power lawn mowers and similar mechanisms. 1n FIGURE 2, lthe engine 92 is seen to include a valve 94 which in its normally closed position seats against a valve seat 96. The valve 94 is connected to one end of a valve stem 98, the lower end of the stem being disposed in a cavity 100 formed in the engine block 101 and being surrounded by a helicoidal spring 102. The spring 102 is under compression and the other end thereof abuts against a disc-shaped valve retainer 104. Reference numeral 106 designates a conventional C-type valve keeper, although the instant invention may find advantageous usage in inserting or removing a pin-type valve keeper (not shown).

To use the valve lifting tool described above, the operator grasps the -bight members 16, 26 with the forengers of the hand, and pushes the pry lever 80 forwardly against the tension exerted by the spring 87, with the palm of the hand. 'Ille free end of the pry lever 80 is now extended beyond the beveled ends 70, 72 of the bifurcated arms 66, 68 of the valve retainer lifter 56. The valve retainer lifter 56 is now inserted into the cavity 100 with the arms 20, 30 inclined at a slight angle (see FIGURE 3). The free end of the pry lever is then inserted below the valve retainer 104 and the pry lever 80 is further urged towards the valve stem 98 to cause the valve retainer 104 to ride up on the cam surface 84. As the valve retainer 4 approaches its maximum rise on the cam surface 84, the tool is gradually lowered until it assumes the full line position illustrated in FIGURE 2. The tool is gradually urged toward ythe valve stem 98, at this time, while the operator gradually releases the pry lever 80. This has the effect of permitting the bifurcated arms 66, 68 and the beveled ends thereof 70, 72 to ride under the valve retainer 104 until the arms 66, 68 are fully engaged below the valve retainer 104 and surround the valve stem 98, the latter being passed between the bifurcated arms 66, 68.

The operator now turns the knob 48 in a clockwise direction to effect rotation of the spindle 46. As the spindle 46 descends, the valve-engaging ange 54 engages against the upper end of the valve 94. Continued rotation of the knob 48 in the aforementioned clockwise direction will cause the valve retainer 104 to ride upwardly against the tension of the valve spring 102. This position is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. With the valve retainer in its elevated position the valve keeper 106 may be removed and replaced if necessary.

The replacement having been made, the knob 48 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to release the flange 54 from the valve 94 and at the same time lower the valve retainer 104 until the same engages against the keeper 106. The tool 10 is then moved completely away from the internal combustion engine 92.

It has been found that a tool formed as illustrated and described facilitates the insertion or removal of keepers to such an extent as to permit a valve to be removed or replaced in as short a time as possibly thirty seconds. Thus, a problem which has presented considerable difficulties, in respect to the maintenance and repair operations on valves of the type illustrated in FIGURE 2, is presently solved by utilizing the above described tool.

The member 56 is purposely releasably connected to the terminal ends 24, 32 to render it interchangeable with other valve spring retainers (not shown).

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention in detail, it will be understood the same is offered merely by way of example, and that the inventio-n is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A tool for elevating la valve retainer on the stem of a valve on an internal combustion engine and against the tension of the valve spring, said tool comprising a substantially C-shaped main body portion formed of a pair of substantially C-shaped members disposed in Ilaterallyspaced confronting relation, each of said C-snaped members including an elongatedbight on each end of which laterally projects a side arm to define respective pairs of confronting side arms at the opposed ends of -said bights, a spindle threadedly supported between the adjacent outer ends of a pair of confronting side arms, said spindle being movable toward and away from the adjacent outer ends of the other pair of confronting side arms, a substantially U-shaped channel member including a bight having a pair of laterally-spaced and confronting side arms, said last-named bight having a bifurcated end projecting beyond said last-named side arms and confronting the adjacent end of said spindle, said last-named side arms being disposed in side-by-side relation relative to the outer ends of said other pair of side arms of said C-shaped members, means rigidly connecting together said last-named side arms and said other pair of side arms of said C-shaped members proximate thereto, a pin extending between and rigidly connected with said other pair of said side arms adjacent the inner ends thereof and being vertically spaced from said bight of said U-shaped channel member, a spacer collar supported on the inner ends of said other pair of side arms in verticallyspaced proximate relation relative to said pin, a second pin extending across and lixedly secured to said other pair of side arms intermediate said bight and said rst pin, said second pin being vertically spaced from said bight of said Uehaped channel member and said first pin, an elongated pry lever having a portion thereof intermediate its ends disposed for sliding movement between said first pin and said collar, said pry lever having one end thereof slidable on said bifurcated end and under said second pin, said one end of said pry lever being disposed between the arms of said bifurcated bight and below and beyond the Guter .ends thereof, the other end of said pry lever extending in the opposite direction and beyond said bights of said C-shaped members, resilient means co-acting between said pry lever and said C-shaped members to constantly bias said pry lever for movement in a direction away from said bifurcated bight, and valve-engaging means on Said spindle, said pry lever being insertable beneath said valve retainer to elevate the same over said bifurcated bight whereby the outer ends of said bifurcated bight may engage the underside of said valve retainer, and said spindle being rotatable to eeet engagement of said arms of said bifurcated bight with said valve to raise said C-shaped members bodily and longitudinally of said stem and `move said valve retainer axially thereon toward said valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES American Machinist, June 22, 1944, page 107. in 144e305.)

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